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Few visitors to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich leave without fantasising what the mighty tea and wool clipper Cutty Sark would be like if she were to be freed from her dry dock dungeon, as Chichester’s Gypsy Moth IV was in 2005. But in the case of Cutty Sark, this cannot happen as she has deteriorated too far. However, there is a scheme afoot to build a full-size replica of the clipper ship by 2019, the 150th anniversary of the Cutty Sark’s launch, writes Mike Owen. The proposal was made by Russian sailor Vladimir Martus in September to officers and members of the Royal Yacht Squadron as he showed his replica of Peter the Great’s 115ft naval flagship from 1703, Shtandart. Just as with Shtandart, the 279ft three-masted Cutty Sark 2 would be built along original lines using traditional methods. It would be a huge challenge, with the project team mostly volunteers. Cutty Sark was of composite construction, timber on forged iron frames, using long-gone skills that must be relearned. Few examples beyond Cutty Sark remain. The Cutty Sark 2 Sail Foundation has just been granted UK charitable status and fund raising has begun. The project cost is estimated at €28 million. The construction site has yet to be finalised and although the foundation is looking at the UK as first choice, the final decision will be influenced by cost, ease of access and accommodation. |
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While fundraising and documenting will continue throughout 2016 before the build begins ahead of a planned launch in September 2019, discussions have begun with Dykstra Naval Architects, renowned for their modern and neo-classic yachts. Vladimir Martus explains: “We are hoping to have no main engine so we can sail the clipper route just as Cutty Sark did, having two ship’s boats on deck that would act as tug boats to help with manoeuvring if needed. There will be some modern equipment – navigation, communication and safety kit – but, as on Shtandart, this will not be seen from outside. Also all the masts, rigging and steering will replicate the original Cutty Sark.” When complete Cutty Sark 2 will operate as an international training ship for crew young and old, and also be employed as a specialist dry cargo vessel, promoting the use of environmentally friendly sailing freight vessels. The team seeks volunteers and contributors. To discover more, go to www.cutty-sark.org and www.shtandart.eu |
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